America’s Next Top Pro Model: Awards and Party

High Ollie Winners: 1st- Keegan Valaika (not pictured because they wouldn’t let him in the bar), 2nd- Chris Bradshaw, and 3rd- a tie between Heikki Sorsa and Joe Sexton

All Photos: Laura Austin

As far as snowboard contests go, there really is nothing like America’s Next Top Pro Model. From the elite field, to the emphasis on freestyle versatility, to the rumors of performance enhancing snowboards, the ANTPM has been likened to the Tour Dé France of winter sports. If that is truly the case then an argument can be made that Austin Smith is ANTPM’s Lance Armstrong with the difference being that the former actually fulfilled on his comeback hopes.

After sticking a frontside 360 to 50-50 on his fourth attempt, Austin Smith achieved strong points towards the overall title early on with a second place in the jib event. This set the stage for a flurry of podium appearances, including a third place result in the Spin To Win, second in Highest Halfpipe Air and another second in the Chinese Downhill. This meant that Joe Sexton, Bryan Fox, and Kyle Clancy needed to place in the Charity Auction to have a chance at unseating him. Despite a strong push by the Finn’s in the final event and Chris Bradshaw’s “Deal of the Century” Charity Auction antics, no one could shrink Smith’s lead and when all the points were tallied, he became the 2011 America’s Next Top Pro Model champion. With this victory, Austin is now tied with Lauri Heiskari as the winningest rider in America’s Next Top Pro Model history, with them each now having more ANTPM titles than Shaun White, Danny Kass, Kevin Pearce, Michael Phelps, or Terje Haakonsen…combined!

In addition to the esteem associated with an ANTPM victory, Austin Smith is also having all of the Charity Auction proceeds–which totals $3550–donated in his name to his charity of choice, The Michael J. Fox Foundation.

High Air Winners: 1st- Kyle Clancy, 2nd- Austin Smith, 3rd- Bryan Fox

SNOWBOARDER would like to thank everyone who helped make the 2011 America’s Next Top Pro Model a success, including Matador by Jack Link’s, The House Boardshop, High Cascade Snowboard Camp, Timberline, the participating media and of course, the riders themselves. Check out the October Issue of SNOWBOARDER for the full story in print and check out michaeljfox.org for more information on Austin’s charity of choice.

This is where Iikka spent most of his time training for the 2011 ANTPM. Looks like it paid off too because he improved his luck enough to manage a 3rd in the Chinese Downhill.

This photo was taken moments after T-Bird explained to the “Champ” the ANTPM tradition of the “Champ” getting free drinks at the bar for the whole year!

This is going to be a long year!

Chris Carr doing his best Austin Smith impression.

Heinekin? Fuck that shit. PABST BLUE RIBBON!!!

Ikka and Eero explaining to Austin that no matter how cool he thinks Bend, Oregon is, that it will never be cooler than Orange County.

So a girl paid $320 for Ikka’s pro model. This is a great deal because girls usually have to spend nearly $500 for a Roxy Torah Bright board or a K2 Gretchin Bleiler Eco Pop or any other pro model tailored to the fairer sex.

When it comes to winners the ANTPM is more about double fisting than double corking.

Bode Merril and Ben Bogart moments after Bode got iced and had to chug a bottle of Mike’s Hard Lemonade. Technically he didn’t get iced but saying he got Mike’d or Harded or Lemonaded isn’t doing Bode any favors.

Kyle Clancy is such a man that he has two decks.

This guy had to just put his head down and cry when he heard that Pat Moore judged a Red Bull wakeboard contest in San Diego.